Zizia

Zizia aurea, the golden Alexander, is a native perennial of genuine distinction for Martha's Vineyard's sunny to partly shaded border gardens, providing rich golden-yellow umbel flowers in May and early June that are among the finest early-season nectar sources available to native pollinators on the island. It thrives in the moist to average soils of garden borders throughout Edgartown and West Tisbury and tolerates the island's sandy substrate when incorporated with organic matter at planting. The plant is the primary host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly, adding ecological value well beyond its ornamental contribution.

Deer tend to avoid it, consistent with most carrot family relatives. Estate Care professionals incorporate it into native-focused perennial programs and pollinator garden designs where early-season bloom, habitat value, and authenticity to the island's native plant community are all design objectives.